Previewing Texas Tech: Why the Red Raiders won't finish above .500

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Michael Ainsworth/Staff Photographer

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS FOR TEXAS TECH'S 2012 SEASON: Tommy Tuberville has the weight of Lubbock on his shoulders. After back-to-back mediocre campaigns at Texas Tech, Tuberville's support from the fans is slipping, and another bad season could be the death knell for Coach T. So what questions do the Red Raiders need to answer in order for Tuberville to keep his job? Here's a look at five big ones:

Tommy Tuberville is in a bit of a tough spot. Yes, he can use the rationale that he has to get the players he recruited into place and get a chance to run his system, but he’s entering his third season at Tech, and the results are not pretty. What’s more, he has the specter of Mike Leach back in coaching, at Washington State, which will only rile up the haters even more in Lubbock. So all Tech has to do is win. With nine starters back on each side of the ball and a really solid QB in Seth Doege, Tuberville is positioned to have a very good season. And that’s why things would get very hot if he doesn’t.

Circle this date

Waiting until the last game of the season to pick the key game for this team is risky. There’s a chance nothing matters by the time the Red Raiders play Baylor at Cowboys Stadium on Nov. 24. Still, games in Arlington have proven to be huge celebrations for Texas college teams, and this could be one that helps vault Tech into a positive future. And who knows, if the team has a decent record, a win over the Bears could solidify an important bowl berth.

2011 Record: 5-7

Mike Heika’s 2012 prediction: 6-6

Schedule

Date

Opponent

Time

Prediction

Sept. 1

Northwestern St.

TBD

W

Sept. 8

Texas State

6 p.m.

W

Sept. 15

New Mexico

6 p.m.

W

Sept. 29

at Iowa State

TBD

W

Oct. 6

Oklahoma

TBD

L

Oct. 13

West Virginia

TBD

L

Oct. 20

at TCU

TBD

L

Oct. 27

at Kansas State

TBD

L

Nov. 3

Texas

TBD

L

Nov. 10

Kansas

TBD

W

Nov. 17

at Oklahoma St.

TBD

L

Nov. 24

vs. Baylor

TBD

W

at Arlington

Offensive player to watch: Seth Doege

Coming off a solid statistical season as a junior, Doege says his main goal this season is to increase the wins (five last season). Clearly a talented thrower, Doege tossed for 4,004 yards last season with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. However, the Red Raiders averaged 29.1 points per game (seventh) in Big 12 play and will need to do better. Doege showed his ability to raise the bar, completing 33 of 52 passes for 441 yards to beat then- third-ranked Oklahoma, 41-38. He just has to be more consistent with those performances in 2012.

Defensive player to watch: Will Smith

Will Smith has yet to play a down for the Red Raiders, having transferred from Riverside Community College in California, but he is already drawing rave reviews. The talented linebacker was a big hit at spring practice, and so impressed coaches that he was moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker in no time. He’s smart, can read plays and is quick from sideline to sideline. The 6-3, 230-pounder said he had interest from UCLA and Fresno State coming out of high school but both faded at the last minute, and he decided to go the JUCO route. That could be a big benefit to where Tech needs plenty of help.

Deep at ... receiver

The Tech receiving corps will provide plenty of targets for quarterback Seth Doege. Among the group is preseason Biletnikoff Award candidate Eric Ward, who had 800 yards and 11 touchdowns receiving last season on 84 catches. The group has size and speed, so the ability to go long will be mixed well with going over the middle. Among the key players available are Darrin Moore, Marcus Kennard, Alex Torres, Javon Bell, Jace Amaro, Tyson Williams, Austin Zouzalik and Bradley Marquez. Williams sat out last season after transferring from West Texas A&M.

Thin at … defensive back

Again, with nine starters back on defense, there really are no thin spots. Still, the secondary was toasted last season and will definitely be under the microscope. Receiver-turned-cornerback Cornelius Douglas looked good in the spring after getting some hard lessons in the nuances of coverage. He will be joined by Cody Davis, D.J. Johnson. Tre’ Porter and Eugene Neboh, among others, as Tech tries to not only shut down the opposition offense but create turnovers with speed and playmakers in the secondary.

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